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Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease that attacks leaf surfaces and tender shoots and causes powdery mildew. New growth is covered with a fine, white, powdery coating, typically on the upper surfaces of the leaves. Infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation. Spores are spread by wind to surrounding dogwood plants. Powdery mildew is most common in dense, shady areas where the air circulation is poor. Warm, dry days and cool, damp nights favor disease development. Read more about powdery mildew here.
Cultivars of flowering dogwood in the Appalachian series are resistant to both powdery mildew and anthracnose. Cultivars of oriental dogwood Cornus kousa and many cultivars of Cornus florida x Cornus kousa hybrid are resistant to powdery mildew.
If disease is severe enough to warrant the use of fungicides, be sure the spray equipment can provide good coverage of the entire tree. For fungicides to be effective, they must be applied as soon as symptoms are noticed.
Spot Anthracnose: This is one of the most common fungal leaf diseases of flowering dogwoods. The flower bracts are usually attacked first and then the leaves, young shoots, and fruit of dogwoods, primarily during wet spring weather. Symptoms are small (⅛ inch), tan spots with reddish-purple borders. When infection is severe, these spots can cause flower bracts and leaves to become wrinkled and distorted. As further infections occur, individual spots eventually merge to form larger spots. The centers may drop out. This fungus survives from year to year on infected twigs, fruits, and other tissues. Read more about anthracnose here.
In most cases this disease doesn't result in significant damage, but severe and repeat infections each year can significantly weaken a tree. Thin the canopy to increase air movement. Planting species and cultivars with some degree of disease resistance is an excellent option for managing this problem in the landscape.
If spotting becomes severe, fungicides can be used in the spring starting at bud break and continuing until leaves are fully expanded.
Suggested Substitutes
Suggested Substitutes
Keep in mind that it is always a good idea to plant a diversity of material so that a new insect or disease arriving on the scene will not decimate your landscape!!
Instead of planting a plant that is commonly riddled with insect pest and diseases, find one from our list of suggested substitutes from UT Extension Specialists, found here.
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